Middlesbrough eye deal for Premier League defender

The 27-year-old has found himself out of favour at Bramall Lane following the Blades’ promotion to the Premier League, and the Sheffield Star claim that he is being monitored by Boro this month.

Jonathan Woodgate is in the market for new defenders and Freeman is reported to be a target – with Sheffield United prepared to sanction a loan move this month.

Several Championship clubs are also understood to be keeping tabs on the former Nottingham Forest and Derby County full-back.

Freeman has a raft of second tier experience and has also represented the Welsh national team at senior level.

Aston Villa’s James Chester has also been linked in recent days as Boro eye further additions following the signings of Lukas Nmecha, Patrick Roberts and Dejan Stojanovic.

Woodgate is short on defenders, but is hoping to welcome back George Friend and Ryan Shotton in the near future as they step-up their respective injury recoveries.

Neither will feature against Fulham this evening though, while Dani Ayala and Anfernee Dijksteel are considered longer-term absentees.

“The ones who have been injured – Friend and Shotton are doing a lot of work on the grass at the minute, and they could be a couple of weeks away,” said the Middlesbrough boss.

“Ayala, I would say four weeks, Britt we’re not sure on yet and Dijksteel is another couple of months.”